Ready or not Mr. Director, the Maple Leafs are getting their close-up.

About eight crew members from the HBO show 24/7 began preliminary filming of the Leafs at the MasterCard Centre on Wednesday, ahead of the Jan. 1 Winter Classic against the Detroit Red Wings. The 24/7 concept, with its behind-the-scenes look at the countdown to major events has been well-received in other sports and credited with gaining the NHL new fans.

How it plays with the Leafs, who are both widely covered on a daily basis and very touchy about player access remains to be seen. Wednesday’s filming was not obtrusive, shots of practice and players labouring after one of coach Randy Carlyle’s day-end skates for a promotional trailer later this autumn. But around Dec. 1, cameras will be everywhere, home and road.

“They (players) will have to live like I live, having you guys in my face all the time,” joked Carlyle. “It’s a challenge to get used to, but I don’t think it’s anything more. It’s not that drastic. It’s something we’re committed to.”

Carlyle was asked if the Leafs of all teams really need more coverage and whether the experience might help or hinder them in mid-season.

“Is there more distractions, more interference, more white noise?” Carlyle wondered. “You have to live it before you determine if it’s positive or negative.

“It’s branding, it’s selling the game, in North America and anywhere in the world. The (NHL/MLSE) people made those decisions so you live with it, like you do with scheduling.”

“People want to see the players’ personalities and see the preparation for games,” Lupul said. “I think the key is probably just to be yourself. I’ve watched the show in the past, it’s entertaining, and I would expect it to be this year, too.”

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HBO cameras rolling for Leafs

Ready or not Mr. Director, the Maple Leafs are getting their close-up.

About eight crew members from the HBO show 24/7 began preliminary filming of the Leafs at the MasterCard Centre on Wednesday, ahead of the Jan. 1 Winter Classic against the Detroit Red Wings. The 24/7 concept, with its behind-the-scenes look at the countdown to major events has been well-received in other sports and credited with gaining the NHL new fans.

How it plays with the Leafs, who are both widely covered on a daily basis and very touchy about player access remains to be seen. Wednesday’s filming was not obtrusive, shots of practice and players labouring after one of coach Randy Carlyle’s day-end skates for a promotional trailer later this autumn. But around Dec. 1, cameras will be everywhere, home and road.

“They (players) will have to live like I live, having you guys in my face all the time,” joked Carlyle. “It’s a challenge to get used to, but I don’t think it’s anything m